I am 29 years old, a mother of 2 and I work a demanding full-time job and serve in the US Army National Guard. I consider myself to be in relatively good shape, all things considered but I do have a few fitness goals I'd like to achieve n 2004:
1. BREAK THE PLATEAU!!
My weight fluctuates between 110-113lbs. My ultimate "dream" weight is 102/103. I am 5 foot 2, with a small frame but I am busty. I tend to carry the most weight in my upper body and torso. I was overweight as a child and into my 20s, until I saw a personal trainer in 1997. At that time I weighed 167lbs and was fed up! I then lost a total of 50 lbs in about 8 months. My original goal was 105 but I couldn't seem to get lower than 110. When I got pregnant with my son 2 years ago I was 115. I didn't gain much baby weight and returned to my current weight within 4 months. I do 6-7 days of cardio but my time is limited (only 1 hour in the morning) so I have to mix cardio with muscle conditioning and ab work. I don't really ever take a day off. But my weight won't go lower than 109, EVER!
It's like my body just reaches that point and says "enough". Is there anything I can do to push past that plateau?
I'm thinking I need to start running instead of using my cardio tapes or doing aerobic shows like Sharon Mann or Aerobic Conditioning b/c that 15 or 20 minutes of cardio just isn't working for me!
2. GET A FIRMER TUMMY! I may be "petite" but I have alot of flab (and excess skin) in my abs (my skin was stretched when I was heavy and now it just sags). I know there is muscle tone underneath but its not visible. I have tried Pilates, a gazillion videos and crunches but NOTHING has helped me get that definition.
3. LOSE THE BAT WINGS! Again, I have alot of excess skin, esp. in the triceps.upper back area. I use the FIRM Body Sculpting tapes and I can see a difference in my biceps and shoulders but the extra flab in my triceps makes me look out of shape. I do alternate sets using light and heavy dumbells, as well as pushups (military style of course).
4. I don't have alot of complaints about my lower body, except the pockets of fat on my (upper)hips and thighs (inner). I know you can't spot reduce those areas and frankly I am the "queen of walking lunges and squats" but still the fat remains.
any suggestions would be appreciated,. Also, do you think my goals are even realistic? I wonder if my problem is more body image than weight. When I look in the mirror all I see are the flabby arms and tummy and that cottage cheese on my thighs.
p.s. I don't know my measurements. But I wear a size 32D or 34C bra (most of it is flabby skin), I can wear jeans in sizes 2/3 or 4/5 (depends on style and brand).
